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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Catbert, post: 465336, member: 12718&quot;]Finally, my new Conder token has arrived and it&#039;s a stunner (to me at least). This 1794 uncirculated token is from the county of Middlesex, England and is known as a Shackelton 477a. The &quot;a&quot; is to designate a variety - a rim inscription for &quot;payable in dublin or london&quot;. This edge variety is considered Rare with less than 75 made. This general trade token was worth a half penny and was used to make change (remember the crown refused to make money for the common man during this time). </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Francis Shackleton was a London based candle maker and was favored by the then Duke of York. The reverse of the token depicts a wooden frame used to make candle molds. Once a wick was pulled through the tube and fastened, warm tallow (the harder fat of sheep, cattle, etc., separated by melting from the fibrous and membranous matter naturally mixed with it - dictionary.com) was poured in and left to cool. Once hard, the candles were drawn out of the mold.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I bought this because of the seller&#039;s pictures caught my eye. I like the aflame look around the obverse royal coat of arms. In hand, it is very beautiful with glittering luster. Here are the seller&#039;s pictures (too dark) and my own (a little too bright - can&#039;t get them to line up side by side either):</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh297/IndianaCatbert/1794%20Middlesx%20477a/Middx477ax.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>My pics:</p><p><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh297/IndianaCatbert/1794%20Middlesx%20477a/Shackleton477a002-1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p><img src="http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh297/IndianaCatbert/1794%20Middlesx%20477a/Shackleton477a008-1.jpg" class="bbCodeImage wysiwygImage" alt="" unselectable="on" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If you have interest in the royal coat of arms, here is a Wikipedia link:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_coat_of_arms_of_the_United_Kingdom</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Note the unicorn on the right. According to the link, a free roaming unicorn was considered to be dangerous and hence the chain is depicted to rein in such a wild beast!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Just so you know, the above piece didn&#039;t cost me an arm or a horn <img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie2" alt=";)" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" />. $74 postage included! </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>What do y&#039;all think of this old piece of copper?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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